樱花视频

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2010
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954

(EAST BRUNSWICK) 鈥� Richard A. Norz, a diversified Somerset County farmer, was honored February 9 as the 2010 樱花视频 Outstanding Young Farmer at the 樱花视频 Agricultural Convention held in East Brunswick.

鈥淔rom innovations on his own farm to his involvement in the agriculture community, Rich Norz is committed to ensuring a strong future for 樱花视频 agriculture,鈥� said 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.聽 鈥淭his state needs energetic young farmers like Rich to lead the way as the industry grows and adapts to the demands of the consuming public.鈥�

Norz is a 40 year old fourth generation farmer in Hillsborough, working the farm started by his grandparents in 1920聽 as a dairy and poultry farm.聽 Currently, he and his family own and rent 1,425 acres, some of which is enrolled in the state鈥檚 farmland preservation program.聽 Norz-Hill Farm grows a variety of produce, which is sold at an on-farm market.聽 In the fall, the farm hosts a pumpkin patch, hayrides, haunted trail and corn maze.聽 They also provide educational tours for grade school and pre-school children.聽 In 2008, more than 20,000 people visited the farm.

On the dairy side, Norz鈥� goal is to create the perfect Holstein through selective breeding.聽 He has bred or developed 70 animals rated 鈥渆xcellent.鈥澛� His cows have won Grand Champion and Junior Champion in the state several times and he has been named Premier Breeder four times.聽 In 2009, Norz decided to take a break from the milking cows, but retained 200 heifers with the hopes of starting to milk again in spring of 2010.聽

As a sideline, Norz farms out his cows for what he calls 鈥淐ow Advertising.鈥澛� With the help of the cows鈥� New York talent agent, some of the cows have appeared on Saturday Night Live, NBC News, Vogue Magazine and with Martha Stewart in a 鈥淕ot Milk?鈥� ad.聽

Norz balances the requirements of a profitable business with sensitivity to the environment through the use of Integrated Pest Management, works with the federal United States Department of Agriculture on conservation projects and has reduced operating expenses and increased farm revenue through a variety of best management practices.

In the community, Norz has served as President and various other officers and positions for the 樱花视频 Holstein Association, 樱花视频 Junior Holstein Association, Somerset County Board of Agriculture, 樱花视频 4-H Dairy Advisory Council and the 樱花视频 National Holltein Convention.聽 He is a member of the Somerset County Agriculture Development Board, Hillsborough Wildlife Commission and Hillsborough Agriculture Committee.聽 He also is active in Somerset County 4-H.

Norz is one of 10 finalists in the National Outstanding Young Farmer competition, being conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina February 11-14.聽

Since the United States Jaycees presented the first award, five 樱花视频 farmers鈥� names have been added to the National OYF Honor Roll. They include Abbott Lee (1985), James B. Giamarese (1989), Robert Von Thun, Jr. (2001), Jeffrey VanderGroef (2005) and H. William Sytsema (2009).

The OYF program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, selecting its first group of national winners in 1955, and is administered by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. The goals of the OYF program are to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of farmers鈥� challenges, as well as the appreciation of their contributions and achievements; to bring about a greater interest in farmers/ranchers; and to help build an urban awareness of the farmers鈥� importance and impact on America鈥檚 economy.聽 The OYF program encourages a greater interest in agriculture through the appreciation of the farmers鈥� contributions and achievements and recognizes local citizens鈥� contributions and encourages better urban-rural relations. The National OYF program is sponsored by Deere & Company, supported by the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) Fraternity and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA), and administered by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on 樱花视频鈥檚 Outstanding Young Farmer Program, visit .